The 10 Tips You Must Know

1. Act fast. Many airlines are reducing their fleets or changes their policies. If you see a good price, it's where you want to go, a price you can afford, then don't wait around.

2. Rethink your destination. If you've got to get away but prices are hindering you, think about changing your destination. Airfares to New York are up about 23% this summer from last summer, versus a 7% rise on airfares to Seattle, according to Travelocity, based on booking data. Airfares to Rome are up 19%, while airfares to Cancun are up 2%. Airfares to the Bahamas are up 14% while those to the U.S. Virgin Islands are down almost 3%, according to Travelocity.

3. Plan ahead. Some industry watchers see prices rising higher, others aren't so sure. Still, planning ahead is often a better strategy than waiting. "Half of us know where we want to be for Thanksgiving...yet most of us wait. If you know right now, book now," said Rudy Maxa, host of the travel show "Rudy Maxa's World" on PBS.

4. Time your search. Start looking for deals midweek. Airlines often file their weekly Web specials on Tuesdays, said Amy Ziff, editor at large with Travelocity. "As those come online, that availability will be seen Tuesday or Wednesday."

5. Time your stay. If heading to a vacation-centric market, go mid-week when fewer leisure travelers go. If your destination is frequented by business travelers, there's no hard-and-fast rule, so check different days to find the best pricing.

6. Search hard. Check the airlines' own sites, and other sites such as Kayak.com, Mobissimo.com, Priceline.com, Hotwire.com, Cheapoair.com, and Farecast.Live.com. Southwest generally doesn't appear on these sites, so check Southwest.com. Maxa said he likes CheapFlights.com because it's easy to see price variation by date. Priceline offers both hotel and car deals.

7. Flexibility on dates is a good way to find the cheapest fares. Avoid Sunday travel and if possible go in September or October rather than July and August.

8. Consider cruises when they offer special promotions.

9. Try travel agents, online and off, for deals. They purchase volume deals in advance, and may have locked in lower rates on hotels and airfare.

10. Sign up for airline newsletters. Airlines eager to fill up seats may send out email alerts about last-minute deals.